How to start creating with Canva

10m

Beginner

Build confidence in Canva with five easy ways to turn your ideas into designs.

How to start creating with Canva

10m

Beginner

Build confidence in Canva with five easy ways to turn your ideas into designs.

What you’ll learn

How to find a template that fits your idea
Easy ways to personalize a design
Where to find graphics, photos, videos, and fonts
How to add your own content and match styles
Ways to share, download, or print your design

Canva homepage with a “What will you design today?” prompt, suggested design types, and recent designs.

Your next idea can start here. Whether you're using Canva on your phone or computer, choose a template, make it your own, and share it your way.

Start with an idea

From presentations and videos to Docs, Whiteboards, and more, Canva gives you plenty of ways to bring an idea to life.

Not sure where to begin? Browse templates chosen for you, inspired by your previous designs, or trending right now. If you already know what you need, use a detailed search instead.

Search for something like “team meeting presentation,” “birthday invitation,” or “social media post,” then use Type to choose the format you need. This helps narrow down the options, so you can find a template that fits your idea.

Once you have found one you like, you can customize every part of it to make it your own.

Try it:

Think of something you would like to create, such as a social post, birthday invitation, or presentation.
Search for it using a few descriptive words.
Select Type to choose the format you need, then open a template to begin creating.

Canva template search results for a birthday invitation, with a Type filter selected to narrow results by design format.

Make it yours

Templates are just the beginning.

Change the words, try a new font, update the colors, swap in your own images, and move things around until the design feels right for you.

Try it:

Replace the template text with your own words.
Choose a new font or color that suits your idea.
Swap one image for a photo or graphic you like.

Canva editor showing a colorful poster template with selected text and editing options for customizing the design.

Find what you need

The right graphic, photo or video could be one search away.

Canva’s library has plenty to explore. Search by subject, style, color, or mood, then choose content that helps your idea come to life.

Try it:

Open Elements and search for something that suits your design.
Browse the results to find a graphic, photo, or video you like.
Add it to your page, then move or resize it until it feels just right.

Canva Elements search results for “seashell,” with graphics, photos, and videos available to add to a website design.

Quick tip:

Use Style Match to try a new visual style, such as Cartoon, Sketch, or 3D Art, on a graphic or photo. You can also copy the style of one graphic to another graphic or photo for a more consistent design.

Add your own touch

Your best content might already be on your phone or in your files.

Upload your own photos, videos, and graphics, then add them to your design. You can crop, resize, and adjust them until they fit just right.

Try it:

Open Uploads and choose a photo or video from your device.
Add it to your design, then try placing it in a frame for a more polished look.
Select your photo or video, then choose Edit to crop it, apply a filter, or explore more editing options.

Canva Uploads panel beside a photo book design, showing options to upload files from a device or connected app.

Share it your way

Your design is ready when you are.

Share it with others, download it in the format you need, present it, post it straight to social, or print it. You can print at home or, where Canva Print is available, order professional products.

Try it:

Open Share and choose whether to send, download, present, or post your design.
Select a social platform to share your design directly with your followers, or copy a link to send to someone.
If you have created something for print, explore your printing options.